Understand these 4 key concepts for a happier life | Arthur Brooks

How does one become truly happy? Arthur Brooks, author and Harvard professor, explains.

Throughout his career, Brooks has pinpointed the essence of real happiness. His key insight? Happiness is not just a feeling, it’s a state of mind.

In this interview, Brooks shares three primary elements of well-being, and explains how each one – enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning – contributes to your own happiness factor. Enjoyment, he explains, involves more than mere pleasure—it’s about shared experiences and lasting memories. Satisfaction arises from overcoming challenges, and meaning comes from understanding life’s coherence, significance, and purpose.

Brooks further breaks down the pursuits that genuinely contribute to happiness: faith, family, friendship, and meaningful work. He stresses that happiness is not a final destination but a continuous direction. By focusing on these core aspects, we can build a fulfilling and happier life.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Arthur Brooks:

Arthur C. Brooks is a professor at both the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where he teaches public and nonprofit leadership and management practice. Before joining Harvard in July 2019, he spent ten years as the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a well-known public policy think tank in Washington, DC.

Brooks has written 11 books, including the bestsellers "Love Your Enemies" (2019), "The Conservative Heart" (2015), and "The Road to Freedom" (2012). He writes a column for The Atlantic, hosts the podcast "The Art of Happiness with Arthur Brooks," and is featured in the 2019 documentary "The Pursuit." He also serves on the board of the Legatum Institute, a think tank in London.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About The Well
Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.

Together, let's learn from them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join The Well on your favorite platforms:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go Deeper with Big Think:

►Become a Big Think Member

►Get Big Think+ for Business

[unzero]

Summary

Happiness isn't a feeling, feelings are just indicators of the external world. 3 macronutrients that make up happiness/high well-beings are:

1. Enjoyment: not just pure pleasure but a mix of pleasure + people + memory
2. Satisfaction: struggling enough for something e.g. studying for better grades, exercising for better physique
3. Meaning: a mix of coherence (why do things happen the way they do), significance (why does it matter I am alive) and purpose (what's the direction and goals involved in my life)


So, what are the 4 key concepts to happier life? People thought money, power, pleasure and fame can bring them happiness however that's not true. These are the 4 keys concepts:

1. Faith: in awe of something greater than yourself, can be many things such as religion or nature etc.
2. Family: as kin-based creatures, we have to take care of our family even if we don't like it
3. Friendship: maintain a few close friendships
4. Work: earned success (you are creating value that is recognized) and service to others (help make others life better)

[antoniomorales]

Oh YouTube algorithm you did me well today. Thank you.

[mattc]

Happiness and fulfillment go hand in hand. Happiness is fleeting (ex: sex, going on vacation, winning a game). ​​Fulfillment is the process of living a valued life, where one pursues things that they are passionate about. It generally comes from choosing actions that move a person towards what they value, as well as achieving goals that were guided by those values. Having fulfillment in life will lead to more moments of happiness.

[paddy]

"There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way." — Thich Nhat Hanh

[thewb]

Our expectations (realistic or not ) have a major impact on our level of happiness. Something he did not address.

[wha.-_-.]

The paradox of happiness is truly an ongoing mystery

[wclay]

I would not underestimate the number of people who find satisfaction in getting away with cheating...

[genghis_connie]

When meaning and the loss of experiencing joy are gone (or severely muted) from over a decade of severe depression, what are we to do?

I have what you said. I would love for it to inspire me. I’ll do my best.

[danielborsody]

I'm a fan of Brooks, and overall it's a great intro to the science of happiness. Although I do have a few qualms. Namely, one can experience enjoyment with or without people (although it's often better with them). Also, I would add health and play to the list of happiness habits.

[DanielWieser]

Emotions are neither negative positive nor negative. Only our perception makes them so.

[matthewtaber]

That's an excellent conclusion for the evolutionary psychologist, but stopping there, and deriving the 4 categories of pursuits laid out in the rest of the video simply doesn't provide a comprehensive happiness pension plan.

I don't say this to denounce it, in fact I believe it's a great outline for the general person's pursuit of happiness. But there is something to be said of the lack of any real general person that exists. What family means is blurred in the context between cultures. Pursuing work might be synonymous with one's faith to change the world.

This is an excellent system for those who live in the confines of a culturally ubiquitous bubble. But the pursuit of such habits suddenly change dramatically if living any other kind of life, or living one dictated by systems above their bubble.

Regardless, this was a great video, just thought I'd throw a few cents in. This has given me a good bit to ponder, thanks!

[KingaGorski]

I was captivated during this entire video - my first introduction to Arthur Brooks 👌love his description of faith being "standing in awe of something bigger than you." 💫

[dwidana]

It's my second time to see Prof Arthur Brooks on Youtube. I have seen hime on Wired, answering similar question on Twitter

[ny_influencial]

Happiness is the results of good conduct 💯

[md.fazlulkarim]

Fulfilment of desires creates happiness .

[MShamedi]

I disagree a bit, these are just social concepts. My friends are my family, work I see it as purpose and Happiness as a state of mind.

[minhkhoavo]

Damn this guys know what to say and know how to convince others.

[ucan]

May God continue to guide and direct you in every step you're taking to better your life 🙏

[noveltycrusade]

Intoxicants are a pretty solid investment too ...

[iamuseless]

Everyone should definitely watch "3 Signs of true love by sandeep maheshwari", its in hindi and also dubbed in english